Rachel Finch reveals how she handles critics

The model, mother, presenter (and soon to be author) talks about her new book, and how she handled *that* childcare controversy
- by
marie claire

27 Jul
2016

Getty

She’s already a reporter, presenter, model, health coach, mother and dancer – and in a few months Rachael Finch will be able to add “author” to her resume.

Finch is set to release Happy, Healthy, Strong, a “health wellness and fitness guide”, in January 2017 – a book in which she talks about her life, from modelling to motherhood.

“I’m very passionate about health and wellness and I just wanted to inspire others and give a bit of direction to others. I'm quite honest in the book."

Finch says the book covers her unconventional childcare arrangements, which recently sparked controversy. In May, she told The Herald Sun that she drops her daughter, Violet, at her grandmother’s place on Fridays and picks her up again on Sunday. “I think that’s incredibly healthy for the relationship,” she told the newspaper. “On Sunday when we pick her up we have 100 per cent energy back”.

Those comments sparked a backlash that Finch was unprepared for, but which she now looks upon as a “learning experience”.

“I mention it in the book, but I don’t dwell on it,” says Finch of the incident. She adds that, at the time, she chose not to respond to online pieces that criticised her parenting, for fear of adding “fuel to the fire.”

However, she points out that it was never a case of not wanting to spend time with her daughter (who is dropped at her grandmother’s at 8pm on a Friday and picked up at 9am on Sunday). “I’m with her 24/7. She comes on set and on photo shoots, she’s in our meetings, running around playing with toys.”

Stormy soppy weather in Sydney made so much better by reading my book manuscript in bed. Coming along nicely! Can't wait to share all of my lessons and tips with you beautiful peeps 💘 @harpercollinsaustralia

Finch adds that her weekends can be her busiest periods, work-wise. “I don’t have that typical nine-to-five life,” she says, before adding, “The people who are important [to our family] understand.”